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As both a seller and consumer on etsy for the better part of 3 years, I can say with much experience that the vendors, for the most part, are reputable, hard working people who stand by their products. The products are, for the most part, as described and well made. The rub, however, is with the "etsy team", or management personnel. If you are a vendor be prepared to be subjected to abuse galore. The rules are not for the "etsy team" to follow, but rather interpret at whim. Finally, if you are a minority of any ethnicity and make no efforts to conceal such, be very prepared for targeting and profiling. You will have your shop shut down while you are on vacation, items deleated without an explanation, and harrassing emails without provocation.
So, in a nutshell-the sellers are wonderful. The "etsy team" or those in power at etsy are abusive.
So, how can they help me? Communicate before taking action? Reinstate my shop!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Hello. How did you get this resolved. I have a similar issue with Etsy. Many thanks. Tony
It is no secret that Etsy has become the most popular online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique goods. It has provided a platform for independent sellers like us to showcase and sell our products to customers all over the world. However, as many of us rely heavily on this platform, it is essential that we hold Etsy accountable for their actions and their Terms of Service.
As many of you may be aware, Etsy's Terms of Service include provisions that allow the company to terminate accounts without reason, and sellers have been affected by this policy in alarming numbers. This practice can lead to serious financial and reputational harm for sellers. It is not only unfair, but it may also be unlawful.
Moreover, Etsy has been accused of unfair and unjust account suspensions, which have led to many sellers having their livelihoods and hard-earned reputations jeopardized without fair warning or explanation, leaving many feeling frustrated and powerless. These suspensions have impacted not only our sales but also our ability to provide for ourselves and our families. Many of us have invested years building our businesses on Etsy, and having our accounts terminated without explanation can be devastating. In some cases, these terminations have led to bankruptcies, the break up of families and business relationships, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other severe impacts.
We believe that these actions are unacceptable, and that Etsy should be held accountable for its practices. We are seeking individuals who have been affected by these practices to come forward and join us in taking legal action against Etsy.
We want to make it clear that we are not seeking to shut down Etsy or end our relationships with the platform. Instead, we are advocating for fair and just policies that support and protect the sellers who make Etsy what it is.
We invite you to join us in this fight for justice. If you have been affected by unfair account terminations or suspensions, or if you believe that Etsy's Terms of Service are unlawful, we encourage you to come forward and join our class action lawsuit against the company.
Together, we can hold Etsy accountable for their actions and ensure that they are transparent and fair in their policies towards us, the sellers.
Thank you for your attention and support in this matter.
https://forms.gle/z7PLgJQnp4Ki7kU19
I want to report a seller on Etsy.i ordered a card reading and she messaged me calling me sir after I had sent her my information that I was a women including a picture.i correct her that I was a women .she started telling me stuff which I didn't appreciate it.i just want a simple card reading.i sent a screenshot of the seller porfile.
very poor product... can not get hold of dillion...
Etsy withheld my sale for some validation which I was unaware. They are holding my funds in reserve of $280 and they stated that they will hold all of my funds until the suspension is over.
order ref.[protected]
despite contacting yourselves and trying to contact the seller my order has still not arrived.
this is my first order through etsy and your help has left a lot to be desired!
PLEASE HELP,THIS ORDER IS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT
My name is Justice Carter and I placed an order on 9 September 2022 for some shirts with fringes for $132.00
My address is:
1161 Mission Rd
Cartersville, GA 30120
for free to contact me at: carterjustice20@yahoo.com
I was charged $ 3 dollars for a free shipping product Nov. 18.American Express called to tell me something was wrong and would I like get a new card because they thought my charged card had been used by someone. I bought an crystal rock.
I purchased a "Grinch" sweatshirt but in the picture didn't realize that there was a middle finger up on it I requested a refund/return but I feel as though I'm getting the run around. Please contact me for further informatiion. I contacted the supplier about a return/ refund but they are stating that I can only have a partial
I joined etsy as a seller on 07.nov 2022 , I submited all the requiered documents .I listed my first item for sale . Then on 11 nov 2022 they suspended my account for no reasen . The item I listed meet etsy terms and conditions , and it mandmade by me. The information of my account is correct and authentic and I never been to etsy before .
dinner plate arrived broken. I sent a picture of it the same day it arrived. Seller said he could not see that it could have been broken in transit. I am disgusted at being called a liar.
I have an unauthorized charge on my cc for $11.70 that ive contacted etsy about to no avail. They're not interested in resolving my issue.
Sent a suspension notice to pay my shop balance. I don't HAVE a shop balance! BEEN SELLING ON ETSY FOR OVER A YEAR AND THIS IS WHAT I GET. THEY DON' T RESPOND TO THE EMAIL THEY HAVE NO PHONE NUMBER AND I HAVE CUSTOMERS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED! I HAVE OVER 1300 SALES And 5-star shop reviews. TOTAL TRASH
I contacted the seller because I didn't received what she was selling it was different and broken I sent her picture of the order I received because she didn't believe me what I received what different from her description and the vial was broken.
After she got the pictures she replied with it doesn't come from my shop
and she just won't refund
My account was suspended without explanation on 31 July. I can access the site and view items but cannot purchase or contact sellers. Attempts to reach a human have been unsuccessful.
Wow. These comments are disheartening. How is a company the size of Etsy allowed to operate this way? I opened and account, Saturday 7/30/2022 , and it was suspended the same day. No email from Etsy and every email and number I could find online was no longer working. Isn’t this against a federal law?
If anyone has a way to contact Etsy, please let me know. I don’t think I’m a candidate for a class action lawsuit but I hope you guys can seek justice for yourself.
Thanks.
My shop was also shut down. There are thousands of products just like mine. It's like they singled me out.
I will join a suit.
Patriciamarie6666@gmail.com
Hi I am another seller in the same boat - did anything happen with a class action lawsuit... I would like to be part of it too. I also had my shop closed all of a sudden and face serious loss due to my business and portfolio of 3 years of time and money being taken away.
Hi, I'm an other seller from Etsy ready for class action. After 3 years of good business they suspend my store arguing my bank account refused the paiment ( I checked with my bank and the found no track of any transfer refused). I opened a new bank account and received the paiement they owned me but them no answer to me email and my store still blocked.
So on top of of 1400 items listed paid for no publication and lost of revenue for my business I have also my brand name who is stolen from Etsy as if you search on Google my domaine name, the 3 first result coming out on Google is Etsy website driving you to other Etsy store. Like every one I have no answers to my mails to Etsy.
If someone opening a class lawsuit you can contact me to info@pargems.com to be part of it.
Please inform me as well I will love to start a class action lawsuit against ETSY for various injustice against sellers!
Please reach out — Occultalchemy@gmail.com
I would like to help you start this ... there are so many complaints online. I am sure people can be rallied to work together to file a class action lawsuit against Etsy. Please let me know, thanks!
Visit my twitter and you'll find hundreds of people that will join a class action lawsuit. Including me. @acidsecs - twitter handle
I will be posting the other 10,000 1-star reviews over the coming month. Each review is from a different seller, buyer, or both.
Same thing happened to me. They are holding thousands of my $$$$ for 6 MONTHS. Only after 3 months/ 20+ support emails and requests did I get a human email that basically said [censored] off. Any links on how to get the ball rolling on a class action guys?
Hey guys I have a plan to get them to notice this and it's to consistently post on their absolute garbage linked in posts / they spruik how they are all community responsible etc however have suspended my store and nearly $15, 000 worth of funds to be paid out in 6 months! When I have fulfilled every single order. I think everyone on here should comment on their linked in and kick up a big fuss
Count me in! I am so frustrated and this can not be legal to withhold funds for 6 months. If you are going to hold my money I would like interest added on. I will send several emails a day as well as take to their social media. I just want my funds that are respectfully owed to me
Also do report shops that violate Etsy's rules and polices. If they lose sellers, they lose everything. I reported some shops that clearly sell brand new design bags and counterfeits. Guess what. Those bad listings and shops are still up. Why is that? Perhaps this company is really discriminating, turning a blind eye on shops that pay for Etsy ads, for example? I received no complaints from buyers, so the only reason I suspect why my shop was shut down is someone reported my shop. I just want equal and fair treatment.
Count me in.. i have a shop but i was a buyer when my thing started.. Now I'm very upset with etsy but i was threatened then cursed the guy at. Etsy out.. Uhh severely.. Very not lady like.. I Had a jewelry shop for 10-plus years and never had a problem until I started buying from other sellers. I bought stones that were supposed to be beads but they came like drill tumbled rocks.. I contacted the seller but she didn't agree with me I said something along the lines of "your crazy then " as a joke but she thought I was hostile so i said "my mind matters. I see you're from the south. I understand how us northerns seem aggressive so i apologize" she asked me if I want to refund but at first I don't want to deal with that.. Then I found out My funds are getting cut and I said okay I need that $22.. she said "i thought you didn't want it? "I said "okay if you don't want to give me a refund I'm going to have to escalate it".. Then i get an email from etsy customer service, telling me that I'm going against the house rules and violations like this could shut down my shop. But i can get help by filling my own dispute…. finally I did open a case and they gave me a full refund but that's all they said... I never returned on etsy so idk if i send the product back because thats not cool she has to eat it either. .i write her to see where to send them back . etsy e-mails me again "l told you to not contact her I told you about policy", at first I was off guard…and apologized because i legit didnt know… . then I freaked out!
Because every month i pay etsy…but this has nothing to do with my store. I'm a customer of etsy and the seller. i got a misrepresented product? Thats my violation? I bought beads. Thats it…Im 40 years old… im not a child.. Im not an equally liable party in this… Im the one who, like my husband said, gets caught up in doing the right thing… that's the story of my Life..as far as Etsy, it has tons of competition sneaking very close…im going elsewhere but i wish i could join u all... Ill be there in spirit
I have had an issue with etsy. They keep canceling my accounts without cause. They sent me an email saying "After a close review of your account, my team and I have determined that we can no longer accommodate your business on Etsy. " I sell jewelry and it well established. I have a website and customer base. They give me no explanation. It is discrimination. I want to be a part of whatever lawsuit is going. Their advertising is robbing people and they aren't transparent. They're an absolute disgrace. I am writing an article about them as a watchdog. If anyone wants to contribute let me know.
Regardless of Etsy's terms of use you do have rights. Etsy's terms of use are illusory, one sided, not in good faith and often courts find these terms unenforceable. Etsy does discriminate including disability discrimination. Etsy needs to be thoroughly investigated. If you feel you were discriminated against based off of a disability, meaning the disability is directly related to the adverse action taken email me kmhjewel87@ gmail . There is recourse, but hire an attorney to help you, arbitration. You can go it alone but be prepared to do your due diligence! Also I am following a case right now by a former seller per another online marketplace where an employee is being sued. So I am under the impression that Etsy employees can be sued individually if they have harmed you. Consult with an attorney. I am not one. don't always believe what you read (as per terms). Etsy is a bully and they do discriminate. And per those saying Etsy is profiling them by removing their shop for copyright/trademark items they have every right to that is illegal! Just because they have not removed others just means they have not gotten to them yet or even know of them. It does not mean you are targeted.
I am another seller in support of a class action suit against Etsy for discrimination.
My shop has been closed now for a couple of weeks without means for direct, real time communication. I posted a listing that contained a prohibited constituent. After receiving notification from the Integrity Team, I promptly reformulated, relabelled and relisted my product. At this point, it was in alignment with their policy (as it is written). And, the product is now quite similar to hundreds of other products sold on their platform.
I made 1 sale of the newly listed item before I was flagged and the whole shop was closed. They have repeatedly refused to delineate how I may modify to be in compliance. They have refused to comment as to why many other sellers are able to freely sell a comparable product. I have many many attempts to resolve this issue directly, though I continue to receive either no response or a pre-written form letter that does not directly answer my questions or provide guidance.
My business has been solely based around my Etsy marketplace, therefore this represents a financial burden.
Bre's Sweet Factory is a seller on ESTY and this seller is a scam. They sold defective face masks, authorized a return, and then refused to refund money because they claimed I made the face mask defective. What a way to defraud people out of their hard earned money.
I am reaching out to ESTY for support in this matter.
How are you doing now? What have you done against Etsy?
I live in Texas, i will like to join a class action lawsuit against Esty.
I am in, with class action lawsuits
FYI they closed the case as "Completed" without actually doing anything or even responding. Is it because I'm a different ethnicity?
Esty is a scumbag operation, SELLER BEWARE !
Same with me they are high profile con-artists. I even sent a complaint ticket to them and noticed it was marked completed even though they didn't respond to anything. At first I didn't think anything of it but now that you say this they are racist I tried looking for items similar to mine and couldn't anything. I didn't suspect at all before reading this because of how innocent my product is, a coloring book in kids style Arab heroes. It was so confusing because I followed all the rules. Anyways they don't deserve the hype they get for sure I'm sorry for the money I lost but never coming back to this platform.
Hello, tried to purchase 10/9/2019 and was told I would be notifidy when shipped from Australia Purchase # [protected].Have not heard from seller.Need advice.Thanks, Daniel Begley
I look at all of these large E-commerce selling platforms like Ponzi schemes. If their intention was to bring together the best qualified, professional sellers with buyers who shop with integrity they would do the exact opposite of what nearly all of them do now especially Etsy. We sold on Etsy for nearly 5 years. 3 years without a hitch until they removed the original creator of the site and it was all downhill from there. The new management went into Bolshevik mode by manipulating the search algorithm because they claimed smaller sellers weren't selling enough when the fact is these were mainly people who were selling junk or copyrighted merchandise illegally, to begin with, and many weren't capable of even running a productive upstanding shop. They literally took all of the most popular searched items from shops who were selling a lot and put those items at the very end of the search results. From Pg 1 to Pg 200 overnight and we still paid the same fees. They should have been sued and exposed big time just for that unethical scheme. Instead of paying for one listing you may pay five to ten tims that before they move those items into Pg results to where they were seen and could sell They changed their policies to benefit buyers so they could abuse the dispute system with and then did the same with their 5 star review system and took away the sellers review for buyers which put sellers at risk of not knowing who was buying from our shops. To top it off they monitor the community chat and would abuse anyone who spoke out about them, their service, and even punished sellers who weren't politically correct enough for them. We seen the writing on the wall in 2016 and closed up shop after we had already put our catalog together and saved all merchandise photos and desriptions including saving the reviews which were 98% excellent. We went offline of all major E-com platforms and set up our own selling platform and bought our own ads on all of the search engines and SMS sites . We were fortunately, foward thinking enough and put together an Email list for our repeat buyers which still buy from us today and they carried us until we were able to get the following we have today. These new pukes at Etsy don't care about the company they work for let alone their investors. Etsy is a selling platform. They sell to the sellers who are buyers of their product yet they have no review system setup for themselves so sellers can review the kind of abhorrent service we had received from them. I'm shocked they are even still in business so many sellers jump off that sinking ship years ago. I'm certain that all of you posting here will do whatever it takes to do what you love and make great connections in the business like we did. It will be rough for about six months or maybe sooner depending on your strategy and how hungry you are to succeed. Just the fact you are all posting here is a testament to that. Write the investors. Sue based on the abuse, not for being terminated. That is just part of the abuse. Talk only to your attorney and trust nobody on the Email. The management and unqualified techs there are vile, uncouth, corrupt, SJW extreme and very shady. They will have no problem spreading lies on the internet about you.
Nobody should waste their time on Etsy, two years of work went down the drain today when my shop was permanently suspended. This happened fast, without much warning, so sadly have none of the preparation and data you wisely suggest. The name Etsy now makes me physically nauseous, I can only hope that they reap the negative energy they have sown and it closes their business too, just as it has closed all of ours.
etsy help center + mail
interest relevance very bad, very bad, very bad
So here’s the deal... this is why you can’t find any information about sellers bringing a class action lawsuit against Etsy. Like it or not, we all sadly and tragically agreed to their arbitration & non-class action clauses in the Seller Agreement. The good news, arbitration could still be an option but per Section 7, Etsy:
“may terminate or suspend your account (and any related accounts) and your access to the Services at any time, for any reason, and without advance notice. If we do so, it’s important to understand that you don’t have a contractual or legal right to continue to use our Services, for example, to sell or buy on our websites or mobile apps. Etsy may refuse service to anyone, at any time, for any reason.”
https://belegallyempowered.com/blog/5-things-from-etsys-
Good luck to you all. Y’all are rock stars, so keep rockin’ & rollin’. 🤘🏼
Thank you so much for this Vivian, it's massively helpful and well considered, however I know from experience that just because you agree to a clause/term in an online agreement which was written by one party "Etsy" that unfairly favours one party "Etsy" that almost nobody would have read before or since signing up with Etsy doesn't mean it's enforceable. Having that clause certainly wouldn't make it easier, but there must be precedent where a contracting party's legal rights trump an unfair/one sided term in a contract which was written into the contract by that unfairly favoured party. There is such a thing as reasonable and this clause as well Etsy's behaviour in most of the examples cited seem far from reasonable. But the clause you raise is a concern and if a class action isn't wise then perhaps arbitration is an option.
I ordered a t-shirt for my daughter's 4th birthday in a small Junior and was sent a shirt that is 4T which is not the same. The shirt is to small and I am requesting a refund or a rushed shirt in the corrected size. Her birthday party is on Saturday and this is the matching shirt to the adult T that I ordered from the same company.
I have been a seller on etsy for about 4 years and I have recently (thru the IRS bill of 9k I just got) that etsy puts EVERYTHING on the 1099Ks, including the shipping that never touches out hands and all of their fees. So How can they say that is how much money we made when 40% we never touch? Also, this new free shipping thing. I can not possibly give free shipping, especially with the weight of my products, I would make no money at all, only etsy would. I have been wondering why all of the sudden this summer my sales have gone down by about 80%. How is this fair that your products will not even be seen unless you offer free shipping! And I refuse to extort my customers to make up for it so etsy continues to make money. If anyone wants to go in on a class action suite, I am in! Us sellers are the one doing all the hard work and they are messing with our lives. They went from a community to just another greedy corporation.
I'm on board with a class action. Suspended as of today, without recourse or reasonable justification.
Same thing here. Would love to see a class action law suit happen. It’s about time hard working entrepreneurs stood up for their rights. What Etsy is doing is completely illegal and uncalled for.
Hi Anna! Just found this thread and since you most recently commented I’m hoping this finds you - I’m in the same boat, money taken unlawfully by Etsy, aware of the fact that Etsy is negligent at best, corrupt and deceitful at worst, and as a seller would LOVE to file a class action. Wanted to ask if you know of any traction around this? I haven’t started looking around yet but we clearly have a case, and I also just genuinely want to see Etsy crumble so something better can take its place. Any info would be great. Or - maybe we can share resources and brainstorm!
Hi Danielle and Anna,
My shop is suspended as of today, with the same awful consequences etc. I'm on board with a class action if this is still being considered, if not why not?
Kind regards,
Steve
I would like to join. Please let me know. I do a high volume of sales and would like to remain anonymous until I know we are moving forward. Lots of evidence against Etsy's legal team in the past 5 years. Proof of loss of income due to negligence on Etsy's part.